How Porsche's underdog outfoxed Jaguar to steal Formula E glory

Nine years on from winning his last title in the DTM, few gave Pascal Wehrlein much hope of becoming Formula E champion in London on a circuit expected to favour Jaguar. But with the pressure on, Porsche's lead title hope steered clear of the carnage and produced the goods when it mattered most

Formula E is no stranger to championship-deciding final rounds, but last weekend’s title showdown in London might have been the most dramatic in the all-electric championship’s 10-year history. Pascal Wehrlein defied the odds and the best efforts of Jaguar drivers Nick Cassidy and Mitch Evans to claim the crown.

On paper, Wehrlein was always the underdog heading into the final two races of the season, not only because he was 12 points behind Cassidy at the head of the table. The tight, twisty confines of the London ExCeL circuit, with its unique indoor/outdoor configuration, has always favoured Jaguar’s powertrain as evidenced by both Cassidy – then with customer outfit Envision – and Evans taking a win apiece last season.

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Stefan Mackley

Formula E

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Author Stefan Mackley

A proud Yorkshireman, Stefan Mackley is Autosport's National Deputy Editor. Having graduated from the University of Central Lancashire with a degree in sports journalism he spent nearly four years working on local newspapers in Wiltshire - during which time he became an NQJ-qualified journalist and cut his teeth covering club racing at Castle Combe in his spare time.

Making the jump into motorsport journalism full-time, he joined the national desk for both Autosport magazine and Motorsport News in 2017 before becoming National Deputy Editor for the former in 2020.

His passion for motorsport stems from watching Formula 1 as a child with his father and is matched only by his love for Star Wars.

A better journalist than racing driver, he has so far competed in the Citroen C1 24 Hours and 116 Trophy with hopes of racing more machinery in 2021 and beyond.